Group 1 Chipping Norton S.
Race Summary:
There was a fleeting second where it looked as though daring tactics by Blake Shinn on Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) could test Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) but it was only a second, and the great mare very quickly showed why she has compiled the record she has.
With an incredible display of sustained speed, Winx reined in the runaway leader and won by close to two lengths on the line to bring up her 31st consecutive victory and a world record 23rd at G1 level.
Happy Clapper was gallant in defeat, finishing second to Winx for the fourth time, and looks on target for the G1 All-Star Mile in two weeks at Flemington.
Winx' stablemates Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock), Egg Tart (Sebring) and even Libran (Ire) (Lawman {Ire}) put in terrific runs with a view to future assignments.
Pedigree Notes:
Winx is the second foal from Listed winning Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), whose first foal is Miss Atom Bomb (Encosta de Lago), the dam of Talindert fourth Nuclear Blitz (Sepoy).
Vegas Showgirl is also the dam of Group 3 winning two-year-old El Divino (Snitzel) and the unraced Boulder City (Snitzel), who entered stud this year.
Vegas Showgirl is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Black Magic Maggie (Westminster) and from the family of Group 1 winning El Khobar (Gabador)
Vegas Showgirl has a 2-year-old filly by Snitzel named Courchevel in training with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, a yearling filly named Covent Garden (Exceed and Excel), and is in foal to Japanese superstar Deep Impact (JPN) (Sunday Silence [USA}).
Group 1 Surround S.
Race Summary:
The G1 Surround Stakes looked set to be fought out between on-pace runners but Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) again showed that she is a future weight-for-age star in the making when she clawed her way back from an impossible position on the turn.
With some slow early sectionals, the race looked set up to be a dogfight between Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt), which had been rated perfectly in front by Sam Clipperton, Mizzy (Zoustar) and El Dorado Dreaming (Ilovethiscity).
As the leaders skipped away at the top of the straight and Nakeeta Jane, having already raced wide throughout, was shunted further out on the track, her chances seemed slim, but she showed an incredible turn-of-foot and will-to-win.
Pedigree Notes:
Nakeeta Jane is the tenth Group winner for her sire and 15th stakes winner overall. The mare is one of five winners from five to race for Group 2 placed Lustre Lady (Flying Spur) and the only stakes winner.
Lustre Lady is a granddaughter of Group 1 The Oaks winner Jet Ski Lady (USA) (Vaguely Noble {IRE}), who is also the granddam of Listed winner Legal Approach (GB) (Zafonic {USA}).
Nakeeta Jane is the only Lustre Lady not to go through the sales ring as a yearling with the filly having a 2018 half-brother by Pierro (Lonhro). Her dam was mated to So You Think in 2018 to produce a full sibling to Nakeeta Jane.
Group 2 Skyline S.
Race Summary:
Microphone (Exceed And Excel) continued his winning ways to take his first Group victory on Saturday in tremendous style.
Asked to settle by James McDonald, the colt was still eager to run but listened to his jockey’s orders to give the leaders a few lengths lead. McDonald unleashed the colt with 300 metres to run and while he showed a little greenness, was willing to run on.
At the 100 metre mark, he took over the lead from Cosmic Force (Deep Field) to win in commanding style. Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ} put in an impressive run to come from last to third after breaking badly from the barriers.
Pedigree Notes:
A Godolphin homebred, Microphone is from the Anabaa (USA) {Danzig {USA}) mare Sung, who is a full sister to Champion Sprinter Yell.
Sung is also a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Holler (Commands) and out of a half-sister to two-time Group 1 winner Anthems (Palace Music).
A Listed winner herself, Sung has three winners from four to race, including five time winner Lieder (Street Cry {IRE}). Her youngest foal is a yearling Teofilo colt named Choir, born in 2017.
Sung was sold in 2018 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Boomer Bloodstock for $70,000.
Group 2 Sweet Embrace S.
Race Summary:
Anaheed did it at both ends – launching from the gates with speed to sit outside the lead, then finishing powerfully – to take the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes.
Even though Anaheed jumped fast, Tim Clark soon had the filly travelling smoothly outside Kiamichi (Sidestep) and after turning she showed sufficient finishing sprint.
Still Single (More Than Ready {USA}) resumed with a strong run-on second and Let It Pour (Redoute's Choice) was excellent on debut, maintaining a handy position in the run and sticking on gamely.
Pedigree Notes:
Anaheed (More Than ready {USA}) lived up to her previous form and pedigree with a second win from three starts that showed great signs for the future.
Bred by owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum from the G1-winning mare Rostova (Testa Rossa), Anaheed is a half-sister to two winners including Farooq (Frankel {GB}).
Anaheed has a yearling half-brother by Medaglia D'Oro that will be offered for sale in the Segenhoe Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April (Lot 231).
Group 2 Guy Walter S.
Race Summary:
Patience has certainly paid off for the connections of Alassio (Foxwedge) with the mare winning two straight Group races and earning one other placing in the last month.
Comfortably galloping second, Alassio easily took over the lead with 300 metres to go from Mandylion (Nicconi) under urging from Tim Clark.
While she never built up a large margin, she comfortably held off all challengers by nearly a length. Last year’s winner Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}) finished second with Manicure (Exceed And Excel) close behind in third.
Pedigree Notes:
A $50,000 yearling, Alassio is the first stakes winner for her Listed winning dam Cinque (Red Ransom {USA}).
Cinque’s granddam Minstrelete (USA) (Round Table {USA}) is also the granddam of British champion Lailani (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}) among 19 stakes horses from the mare’s branch of the family.
Cinque’s daughter Sport Chic (Redoute’s Choice) is the dam of Group 2 placed Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}). Cinque herself had her first live foal since Alassio this past breeding season when she produced a filly by Denman (Lonhro).
Group 3 Liverpool City Cup
Race Summary:
Blake Shinn's tactics in the G1 may not have brought about the desired result but a canny ride in the G3 Liverpool City Cup helped Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) to a 10th career win and third at stakes level.
Shinn seemed intent on leading when Dreamforce stepped well but quickly summed up the situation and elected to park the 6-year-old outside the lead.
After building the revs to the turn, Shinn switched on the afterburners upon straightening to take a decisive lead at the top of the straight and hold off outsiders Snippets Lad (Snippetson) and Salsonic (Hinchinbrook).
Pedigree Notes:
Dreamforce is out of the former top mare Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Shinko King {IRE}). She won the G1 Queensland Oaks and showed her versatility when she added the G1 Coolmore Classic to her record.
The G3 Taranaki Cup winner Our King Sway (NZ) (Shinko King {IRE}) is also a member of this family, as is Krispin Klear (NZ) (Kreisler {IRE}). He won no less than 13 races, including two at Listed level.
A full-sister to Dreamforce will be available in the Kitchwin Hills draft at the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (Lot 444).
